Guitar Battle: Ethos

This picture of an "on-stage battle of dueling guitars" between Carlos Santana and David Brown displays many rhetorical aspects.  This post is about the Ethos used in this picture from Woodstock.  The picture uses the appearances of the two men to prove authenticity of both the men and the picture.  If you look at these two men, you can tell that they are hippies.  From the clothes they wear (slightly beat up) to their hygiene (looking slightly greasy), they look the role.  You may be thinking, "Oh, but these are just stereotypes" but you have to remember that they are stereotypes for a reason.  Proof of their characters being musicians you can see just by looking at their faces.  Passion is flowing out of them, and it shows with their posture and facial expressions.  These things build the character, or Ethos, of the individuals in the photograph as well as the hippy movement in general.  I'm willing to bet that, as many of us look up to celebrities, the hippies looked up to musicians like these and strive to be like them.

Style

My favorite thing about these two pieces are how differently they convey their meaning. The photograph allows you to interpret the scene however you see fit. You're able to take in the scenery, the color of their skin, what they're doing in the picture, and any other factors one might notice. All these things let you form a picture of the time period and what was going on in society in your head. It also lets you figure out on your own whether or not these people agree with society or don't, and whether or not they are advocating for change. On the other hand, 2+2=? comes right out and questions the rules of this time period. He blatantly says "cause I got the gall to ask, can you maybe change the rules" referring to the draft. Instead of leaving the meaning of the song up for interpretation he makes it very clear that he wants change and he's going to speak up about it. It is made very well known that he will be an advocate for change in order to save his own life and many others. Instead of just going with the flow of society, he chooses to question things and whether or not the way things are going is the right way. Both texts are very powerful and have a lot of meaning but one comes right out and says it and one requires you to think.

History

When discussing these two texts I believe it is very important to understand the history of this time period. What brings these two texts together is both are going against the social norms of their time. Typically white people and black people would not be seen together or friends with each other which is the opposite of what's happening in the photograph. This photo is breaking the barriers of the opinions of society by showing two people of different races enjoying each others company and sharing a common interest. When discussing the other text, Seger breaks the silence on the rules of the draft by saying that he doesn't agree with these laws. At this time, all boys 18 and older had to enter the draft and if chosen, had to go to war regardless of their goals in life or whether or not they wanted to go. Both of these texts make their opinion of society's laws well known by going against the norm and speaking their true opinions.

2+2=? Intrinsic Ethos

There are two ways of describing ethos either, intrinsic or extrinsic. Bob Seger in his song, 2+2=?, possesses the first kind of ethos, intrinsic ethos through his lyrics and emotions. The writing of the song is evidently from Seger's point of view, an experience he most likely faced in his life. Being that it is from his point of view he establishes credibility over the topic and presents a great amount of knowledge. Seger's language and choice of words are moving allowing the audience to almost feel the emotions he was feeling at the time, "yes it is true I am a young man but I'm not old enough to kill." The tone and the diction of the lyrics provides a more serious aspect of the song even though the background music makes it seem more of a up beat and moving song. The bottom line is that Bob Seger knows the possibility outcome of going to war and all the facts.  He knows he can't turn down the duty without being called, "yellow."